Photosensitive resin composition and display device

ABSTRACT

A photosensitive resin composition comprising: a solvent in an amount of about 60 percentage by weight (wt %) to about 95 wt %; and a solid content in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 40 wt %, with respect to a total weight of the photosensitive resin composition, wherein the solid content comprises: a phosphor in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 90 wt %; a photopolymerizable compound in an amount of about 4 wt % to about 70 wt %; a photopolymerization initiator in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt %; an alkali soluble resin in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 80 wt %; and a dispersant in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 12 wt %, with respect to a total weight of the solid content.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0011552, filed on Jan. 23, 2015 with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to a photosensitive resin composition and a display device including a color filter prepared using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Display devices display images using light emitting elements. In recent times, flat panel display (FPD) devices are being widely used, most notably liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and organic light emitting diode (OLED) display devices.

Such display devices display desired colors using color filters. In general, a color filter allows light having a predetermined color to pass through and blocks light having a color different therefrom in order to represent a desired color. To this end, a color filter includes a pigment, which is a colorant, and may further include a dye for the effect of enhanced luminance.

However, such a color filter including a pigment or a dye-based colorant has limitations in enhancing luminance. Accordingly, research is being conducted on a color filter using a phosphor. Such a color filter using a phosphor represents a color based on a scheme in which a phosphor absorbs light from a predetermined light source to emit light having a wavelength different from that of the predetermined light source.

It is to be understood that this background of the technology section is intended to provide useful background for understanding the technology and as such disclosed herein, the technology background section may include ideas, concepts or recognitions that were not part of what was known or appreciated by those skilled in the pertinent art prior to a corresponding effective filing date of subject matter disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are directed to a photosensitive resin composition comprising a phosphor.

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are also directed to a display device comprising a color filter prepared using a photosensitive resin composition comprising a phosphor.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a photosensitive resin composition comprises: a solvent in an amount of about 60 percentage by weight (wt %) to about 95 wt %; and a solid content in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 40 wt %, with respect to a total weight of the photosensitive resin composition, wherein the solid content comprises: a phosphor in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 90 wt %; a photopolymerizable compound in an amount of about 4 wt % to about 70 wt %; a photopolymerization initiator in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt %; an alkali soluble resin in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 80 wt %; and a dispersant in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 12 wt %, with respect to a total weight of the solid content, and the phosphor has a particle size in a range of about 2 nanometers (nm) to about 10 nm, and when a center wavelength of light emitted from the phosphor is λ, an agglomerate particle size PS of the phosphor satisfies Formula 1: λ/10<PS<5λ.  [Formula 1]

The phosphor may include at least one selected from a red phosphor, a green phosphor, and a blue phosphor.

The phosphor may include one of a red phosphor absorbing blue light to emit red light and a green phosphor absorbing blue light to emit green light.

The phosphor may be a quantum dot (QD).

The quantum dot may comprise at least one compound selected from CdS, CdSe, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, InP, and InAs.

The quantum dot may have a core-shell structure comprising a core and a shell covering the core, wherein the core comprises at least one compound selected from CdSe, p CdS, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, CdSeTe, CdZnS, CdSeS, PbSe, PbS, PbTe, AgInZnS, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, InP, InZnP, InGaP, InGaN, InAs, and ZnO, and the shell comprises at least one compound selected from CdS, CdSe, CdTe, CdO, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, ZnO, InP, InS, GaP, GaN, GaO, InZnP, InGaP, InGaN, InZnSCdSe, PbS, TiO, SrSe, and HgSe.

The phosphor may comprise at least one compound selected from Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ (YAG:Ce), Tb₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ (TAG:Ce), (Sr,Ba,Ca)₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ba,Ca,Mg,Zn)₂Si(OD)₄:Eu²⁺ (D=F,Cl,S,N,Br), Ba₂MgSi₂O₇:Eu²⁺, Ba₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺, Ca₃(Sc,Mg)₂Si3O₁₂:Ce³⁺, (Ca,Sr)S:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ca)Ga₂S₄:Eu²⁺, SrSi₂O₂N₂:Eu²⁺, SiAlON:Ce³⁺, β-SiAlON:Eu²⁺, Ca-α-SiAlON:Eu²⁺, Ba₃Si₆O₁₂N₂:Eu²⁺, CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ca)AlSiN₃:Eu²⁺, Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ba)Al₂O₄:Eu²⁺, (Mg,Sr)Al₂O₄:Eu²⁺, and BaMg₂Al₁₆O₂₇:Eu²⁺.

The photopolymerizable compound may comprise a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1:

wherein R₁ is hydrogen or an acrylroyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

The alkali soluble resin may comprise: at least one compound selected from a mono carboxylic acid-based compound, a dicarboxylic acid-based compound, and a mono(meth)acrylate-based compound; and at least one selected from an alkyl ester-based compound, a carboxylic acid ester-based compound, a vinyl compound, an alicyclic compound having an epoxy group and an unsaturated bond, an epoxy-based compound, and a dicarbonyl imide derivative.

The dispersant may comprise at least a surfactant selected from a polyoxyethylenealkylether-based compound, a polyoxyethylenealkylphenylether-based compound, a polyethyleneglycolester-based compound, a sorbitan fatty acid ester-based compound, a fatty acid modified polyester-based compound, a tertiary amine modified polyurethane compound, an alkylammonium-based compound, and a polyethyleneimine-based compound.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display device comprises: a substrate; and a plurality of color filters disposed on the substrate, wherein the color filter comprises a polymer resin, and a phosphor having a particle size in a range of about 2 nanometers (nm) to about 10 nm which is dispersed in the polymer resin, and when a center wavelength of light emitted from the phosphor is λ, an agglomerate particle size PS of the phosphor satisfies Formula 1: λ/10<PS<5λ.  [Formula 1]

The phosphor may include at least one selected from a red phosphor, a green phosphor, and a blue phosphor.

The phosphor may include one of a red phosphor absorbing blue light to emit red light and a green phosphor absorbing blue light to emit green light.

The phosphor may be a quantum dot (QD).

The quantum dot may comprise at least one compound selected from CdS, CdSe, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, InP, and InAs.

The quantum dot may have a core-shell structure comprising a core and a shell covering the core, wherein the core comprises at least one compound selected from CdSe, CdS, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, CdSeTe, CdZnS, CdSeS, PbSe, PbS, PbTe, AgInZnS, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, InP, InZnP, InGaP, InGaN, InAs, and ZnO, and the shell comprises at least one compound selected from CdS, CdSe, CdTe, CdO, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, ZnO, InP, InS, GaP, GaN, GaO, InZnP, InGaP, InGaN, InZnSCdSe, PbS, TiO, SrSe, and HgSe.

The phosphor may comprise at least one compound selected from Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ (YAG:Ce), Tb₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ (TAG:Ce), (Sr,Ba,Ca)₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ba,Ca,Mg,Zn)₂Si(OD)₄:Eu²⁺ (D=F,Cl,S,N,Br), Ba₂MgSiO₇: Eu²⁺, Ba₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺, Ca₃(Sc,Mg)₂Si3O₁₂:Ce³⁺, (Ca,Sr)S:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ca)Ga₂S₄:Eu²⁺, SrSi₂O₂N₂:Eu²⁺, SiAlON:Ce³⁺, β-SiAlON:Eu²⁺, Ca-α-SiAlON:Eu²⁺, Ba₃Si₆O₁₂N₂:Eu²⁺, CaAlSiN3:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ca)AlSiN₃:Eu²⁺, Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ba)Al₂O₄:Eu²⁺, (Mg,Sr)Al₂O₄:Eu²⁺, and BaMg₂Al₁₆O₂₇:Eu²⁺.

The foregoing is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and aspects of the present disclosure of invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a color filter substrate;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating luminance of a color filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

All terminologies used herein are merely used to describe embodiments of the inventive concept and may be modified according to the relevant art and the intention of an applicant. Therefore, the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meanings in the context of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the invention.

In the drawings, certain elements or shapes may be simplified or exaggerated to better illustrate the present invention, and other elements present in an actual product may also be omitted. Thus, the drawings are intended to facilitate the understanding of the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

In addition, when a layer or element is referred to as being “on” another layer or element, the layer or element may be directly on the other layer or element, or one or more intervening layers or elements may be interposed therebetween.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense unless clearly defined in the present specification.

Hereinafter, a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The display device of FIG. 1 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) device 101.

The LCD device 101 may comprise an array substrate 201, an opposing substrate 202, and a liquid crystal layer 183 disposed between the array substrate 201 and the opposing substrate 202.

The array substrate 201 may comprise a first substrate 111, a gate insulating layer 170, a thin film transistor (TFT) 177, a planarization layer 160, and a first electrode 181.

The first substrate 111 may be formed of transparent glass, plastic, or the like.

A gate electrode 171 and a gate line (not illustrated) may be disposed on the first substrate 111.

The gate insulating layer 170 may be disposed on the first substrate 111 on which the gate line is disposed. The gate insulating layer 170 may be formed of an inorganic material such as silicon nitride (SiN_(x)) or silicon oxide (SiO_(x)).

A semiconductor layer 173 may be disposed on the gate insulating layer 170. The semiconductor layer 173 may comprise silicon and may comprise an oxide semiconductor. The oxide semiconductor may comprise, for example, at least one of indium (In), zinc (Zn), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), and hafnium (Hf).

A source electrode 175 and a drain electrode 176 may be disposed on the semiconductor layer 173 overlapping at least portions of the source electrode 175 and the drain electrode 176, respectively. The source electrode 175 and the drain electrode 176 may be spaced apart from one another, the source electrode 175 being connected to a data line (not illustrated); the drain electrode 176 being connected to the first electrode 181.

The gate electrode 171, the source electrode 175, the drain electrode 176, and the semiconductor layer 173 may configure the TFT 177.

The planarization layer 160 may be disposed on the TFT 177. The planarization layer 160 may be formed of an inorganic material such as SiN_(x) or SiO_(x) or an organic material. In addition, the planarization layer 160 may have a multilayer structure comprising an inorganic layer and an organic layer. The planarization layer 160 may have a contact hole 161 through which a portion of the drain electrode 176 is exposed.

The first electrode 181 may be disposed on the planarization layer 160. The first electrode 181 may be disposed to correspond to a pixel region, and may be connected to the drain electrode 176 through the contact hole 161.

The opposing substrate 202 may comprise a second substrate 211, a color filter 191, a black matrix (BM) 192, an overcoat layer 193, and a second electrode 182.

The second substrate 211 may be formed of transparent glass, plastic, or the like.

The black matrix 192 may be disposed on a surface of the second substrate 211 opposite to the first substrate 111. The black matrix 192 may be disposed to correspond to a region other than the pixel region to define the pixel region. For example, the black matrix 192 may overlap the data line, the gate line, and the TFT 177.

The color filter 191 may be disposed in the pixel region defined by the black matrix 192. The color filter 191 may provide color to light passing through the liquid crystal layer 183. The color filter 191 may be one of a red color filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter. The color filter 191 may display a color other than red, green, and blue. The color filter 191 may overlap a portion of the black matrix 192.

The color filter 191 may comprise a polymer resin and a phosphor having a particle size in a range of about 2 nanometers (nm) to about 10 nm which is dispersed in the polymer resin. In addition, the color filter 191 may be prepared using a photosensitive resin composition comprising a phosphor. A description pertaining to the color filter 191 and the photosensitive resin composition used in the preparation of the color filter is provided below.

The overcoat layer 193 may be disposed on the color filter 191 and the black matrix 192. The overcoat layer 193 may planarize an upper surface of the color filter 191 and may protect the color filter 191. The overcoat layer 193 may be formed of, for example, an acrylic epoxy material.

The second electrode 182 may be disposed on the overcoat layer 193. The second electrode 182 may be electrically connected to a common line (not illustrated). The second electrode 182 may have a slit pattern comprising a plurality of apertures. The second electrode 182 may comprise a transparent conductive material. For example, the second electrode 182 may be formed of indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO).

The liquid crystal layer 183 may be disposed between the array substrate 201 and the opposing substrate 202. The liquid crystal layer 183 may include liquid crystal molecules having optical anisotropy. The liquid crystal molecules may be aligned by an electric field, such that an amount of transmitted light passing through the liquid crystal layer 183 may be adjusted.

Hereinafter, a preparation method of a color filter substrate will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The color filter substrate may correspond to a portion of the opposing substrate 202 of FIG. 1 remaining other than the second electrode 182.

The color filter substrate may comprise a red color filter 191R, a green color filter 191G, and a blue color filter 191B which are disposed on the second substrate 211. The red, green, and blue color filters 191R, 191G, and 191B may each be disposed in a region corresponding to a pixel electrode, that is, the first electrode 181. In the case in which a light source of the display device is a blue light source, the blue color filter 191B may be omitted, or a transparent non-emitting layer may be used.

The red, green, and blue color filters 191R, 191G, and 191B may be prepared using photosensitive resin compositions comprising phosphors, respectively.

For example, the red, green, and blue color filters 191R, 191G, and 191B may be prepared by the following processes.

The black matrix 192 may be formed on the second substrate 211. A light shielding layer, for example, a chromium (Cr) layer, may be formed on a surface of the second substrate 211 to be patterned through a photo-etching process, whereby the black matrix 192 is formed. Alternatively, the black matrix 192 may also be formed through an inkjet process using an organic material.

A photosensitive resin composition may be coated on the second substrate 211 on which the black matrix 192 is formed. The photosensitive resin composition may comprise a phosphor having a particle size in a range of about 2 nm to about 10 nm, a photopolymerizable compound, a photopolymerization initiator, an alkali soluble resin, a dispersant, and a solvent.

In the case in which the red, green, and blue color filters 191R, 191G, and 191B are sequentially formed, a photosensitive resin composition for preparing the red color filter 191R comprising a phosphor emitting red light may be initially coated on the second substrate 211. The photosensitive resin composition for preparing the red color filter 191R may also be coated on the black matrix 192.

The photosensitive resin composition for preparing the red color filter 191R which is coated on the second substrate 211 may be irradiated selectively with light. In this instance, a pattern mask may be used. The pattern mask may comprise a light shielding portion and a light transmitting portion, and the light transmitting portion may be provided corresponding to a position in the photosensitive resin composition at which the red color filter 191R is to be formed.

A development process may be performed. A non-exposed portion of the photosensitive resin composition may be removed through the development process, such that a red color filter pattern formed of the photosensitive resin composition may be produced.

The photosensitive resin composition may be cured by light or heat to complete the red color filter 191R. In detail, through the curing of the photosensitive resin composition, a polymer component such as a photopolymerizable compound may be polymerized to be a polymer resin, and phosphors may be dispersed in the polymer resin to complete the color filter.

The green and blue color filters 191G and 191B may be formed through substantially the same process as that of forming the red color filter 191R. The green color filter 191G may comprise a phosphor emitting green light, and the blue color filter 191B may comprise a phosphor emitting blue light.

The color filter substrate may be used in the LCD device and also in an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device. In the case in which the color filter substrate is used in the OLED display device, an OLED element may be disposed downwardly or upwardly of the color filter. The OLED element may be disposed on an additional substrate other than the color filter substrate.

Hereinafter, a second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. A repeated description of the same configuration of the display device described in the first exemplary embodiment will be omitted herein for conciseness.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The display device of FIG. 3 is an LCD device 102.

The LCD device 102 of the second exemplary embodiment may comprise an array substrate 201, an opposing substrate 202, and a liquid crystal layer 183 disposed between the array substrate 201 and the opposing substrate 202.

A gate electrode 171 and a black matrix 192 may be disposed on a first substrate 111, and a gate insulating layer 170 may be disposed on the gate electrode 171 and the black matrix 192. The black matrix 192 may extend in a direction parallel with respect to a data line (not illustrated).

A semiconductor layer 173, a source electrode 175, and a drain electrode 176 may be formed on the gate insulating layer 170, and then a color filter 191 may be formed. The color filter 191 may include a red color filter 191R, a green color filter 191G, and a blue color filter 191B.

A contact hole may be formed on the color filter 191, such that a portion of the drain electrode 176 is exposed therethrough. A first electrode 181, that is a pixel electrode, may be disposed on the color filter 191 to be connected to the drain electrode 176 of a TFT through the contact hole.

A second electrode 182 may be disposed on a second substrate 211.

Hereinafter, a photosensitive resin composition according to a third exemplary embodiment will be described. The photosensitive resin composition according to the third exemplary embodiment may be used to prepare a color filter.

The photosensitive resin composition may comprise a solvent in an amount of about 60 percentage by weight (wt %) to about 95 wt % and a solid content in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 40 wt % with respect to a total weight of the photosensitive resin composition. The solid content may comprise a phosphor, a photopolymerizable compound, a photopolymerization initiator, an alkali soluble resin, and a dispersant. In the photosensitive resin composition according to the third exemplary embodiment, a component aside from the solvent will be referred to as the solid content. Accordingly, even a liquid component may correspond to the solid content in the case in which the liquid component is not used as a solvent.

The phosphor may have a particle size in a range of about 2 nm to about 10 nm, and when a center wavelength of light emitted from the phosphor is λ, an agglomerate particle size PS of the phosphor may satisfy Formula 1: λ/10<PS<5λ.  [Formula 1]

As used herein, the agglomerate particle size PS may refer to an average particle diameter of an agglomerate which is obtained by phosphors being agglomerated.

The phosphor may comprise at least one of a red phosphor absorbing light from a predetermined light source to emit red light, a green phosphor absorbing light from a predetermined light source to emit green light, and a blue phosphor absorbing light from a predetermined light source to emit blue light. For example, as the phosphor, at least one selected from a red phosphor absorbing ultraviolet (UV) light having a wavelength in a range of about 100 nm to about 350 nm to emit red light having a wavelength in a range of about 620 nm to about 740 nm (center wavelength: 680 nm), a green phosphor absorbing ultraviolet (UV) light having a wavelength in a range of about 100 nm to about 350 nm to emit green light having a wavelength in a range of about 500 nm to about 580 nm (center wavelength: 540 nm), and a blue phosphor absorbing ultraviolet (UV) light having a wavelength in a range of about 100 nm to about 350 nm to emit blue light having a wavelength in a range of about 420 nm to about 490 nm (center wavelength: 455 nm) may be used. The color filter prepared using the photosensitive resin composition comprising such a phosphor may be employed in the display device using a UV light as a light source.

In addition, the phosphor may include one of a red phosphor absorbing blue light to emit red light and a green phosphor absorbing blue light to emit green light. The color filter prepared using the photosensitive resin composition comprising such a phosphor may be employed in a display device using a blue light as a light source.

A quantum dot (QD) may be used as the phosphor.

The quantum dot may be prepared based on a known scheme. For example, the quantum dot may be prepared based on a wet chemical scheme using a metal precursor. In detail, the quantum dot may be prepared in a manner in which a metal precursor is injected into an organic solvent under the presence of a dispersant to grow a crystal therefrom at a predetermined temperature; however, the preparation scheme of the quantum dot is not limited thereto.

The quantum dot may be composed of elements form groups II-IV, V, III-V,

II-VI or IV-VI of the periodic table. The quantum dot may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

The quantum dot may comprise at least one compound selected from CdS, CdSe, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, InP, and InAs. However, the material forming the quantum dot is not limited thereto, and the quantum dot may comprise other elements. In addition, two or more kinds of quantum dots may be used together.

The quantum dot may have an average particle size in a range of about 2 nm to about 10 nm. In the case in which the quantum dot has the average particle size in the range of about 2 nm to about 10 nm, the quantum dot may function as a quantum dot, and may have dispersibility within the photosensitive resin composition.

In addition, the quantum dot may have a core-shell structure, and may have a gradient in terms of a composition thereof.

For example, the quantum dot may have a core-shell structure comprising a core and a shell covering the core.

The core may comprise at least one compound selected from CdSe, CdS, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, CdSeTe, CdZnS, CdSeS, PbSe, PbS, PbTe, AgInZnS, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, InP, InZnP, InGaP, InGaN, InAs, and ZnO; however, the material forming the core is not limited thereto.

The shell may comprise at least one compound selected from CdS, CdSe, CdTe, CdO, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, ZnO, InP, InS, GaP, GaN, GaO, InZnP, InGaP, InGaN, InZnSCdSe, PbS, TiO, SrSe, and HgSe; however, the material forming the shell is not limited thereto.

The core of the quantum dot having the core-shell structure may have an average particle size in a range of about 2 nm to about 5 nm. In addition, the shell may have an average thickness in a range of about 2 nm to about 5 nm. In the case in which the quantum dot has the average particle size and the average thickness in the above range, the quantum dot may function as a phosphor, and may have dispersibility within the photosensitive resin composition.

The components forming the core and the shell, the particle size of the core, the thickness of the shell, the particle size of the quantum dot may be adjusted, such that the quantum dot may function as the red phosphor, the green phosphor, or the blue phosphor.

Further, the phosphor may use an inorganic phosphor such as garnets, silicates, sulfides, oxynitrides, or aluminates. The inorganic phosphor may comprise at least one compound selected from Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce⁺ (YAG:Ce), Tb₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ (TAG:Ce), (Sr,Ba,Ca)₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ba,Ca,Mg,Zn)₂Si(OD)₄:Eu²⁺ D=F,C1,S,N,Br, Ba₂MgSi₂O₇:Eu²⁺, Ba₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺, Ca₃(Sc,Mg)₂Si₃O₁₂:Ce³⁺, (Ca,Sr)S:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ca)Ga₂S₄:Eu²⁺, SrSi₂O₂N₂:Eu²⁺, SiAlON:Ce³⁺, β-SiAlON:Eu²⁺, Ca-α-SiAlON:Eu²⁺, Ba₃Si₆O₁₂N₂:Eu²⁺, CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ca)AlSiN₃:Eu²⁺, Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ba)Al204:Eu²⁺, (Mg,Sr)Al₂O₄:Eu²⁺, and BaMg₂Al₁₆O₂₇:Eu²⁺; however, the material forming the inorganic phosphor is not limited thereto.

The phosphor may be included in the photosensitive resin composition in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 90 wt % with respect to a total weight of the solid content of the photosensitive resin composition. In the case in which the amount of the phosphor is in the range of about 5 wt % to about 90 wt %, the color filter pattern may be readily formed and color conversion efficiency may be excellent; in the case in which the amount of the phosphor is below 5 wt %, light emission efficiency may be decreased; and in the case in which the amount of the phosphor is above 90 wt %, the color filter pattern may be difficult to be formed. For example, the phosphor may be used in a range of about 10 wt % to about 80 wt % with respect to the total weight of the solid content.

The photopolymerizable compound may be a compound polymerizable by light. The photopolymerizable compound may comprise a monofunctional monomer and a polyfunctional monomer, where functionality refers to the number of unsaturated bonds that can take part in a reaction.

The monofunctional monomer may comprise nonylphenylcarbitolacrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxy propylacrylate, 2-ethylhexylcarbitol acrylate, 2-hydroxyethylacrylate, N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP), and the like.

The polyfunctional monomer may include a difunctional monomer such as 1,6-hexanedioldi(meth)acrylate, ethyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate, neopentylglycoldi(meth)acrylate, triethyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate, bisphenol A bis(acryloyloxyethyl)ether, and 3-methylpentanediodi(meth)acrylate.

In addition, the polyfuntional monomer may include trimethylolpropanetri(meth)acrylate, ethoxylatedtrimethylolpropanetri(meth)acrylate, propoxylatedtrimethylolpropanetri(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritoltri(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritoltetra(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritolpenta(meth)acrylate, ethoxylateddipentaerythritolhexa(meth)acrylate, propoxylateddipentaerythritolhexa(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritolhexa(meth)acrylate, and the like.

An example of the polyfunctional monomer may be dipentaerythritol(poly)acrylate represented by Chemical Formula 1.

In Chemical Formula 1, R₁ is hydrogen or an acryloyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

The photopolymerizable compound may be included in the photosensitive resin composition in an amount of about 4 wt % to about 70 wt % with respect to the total weight of the solid content of the photosensitive resin composition. In the case in which the amount of the photopolymerizable compound is in the range of about 4 wt % to about 70 wt %, a process of forming a pattern using selective exposure may be readily performed. In the case in which the amount of the photopolymerizable compound is below 4 wt %, photo-curability with respect to UV light may be reduced such that the pattern may be difficult to be formed; and in the case in which the amount of the photopolymerizable compound is above 70 wt %, pattern exfoliation may occur. For example, the photopolymerizable compound may be used in a range of about 10 wt % to about 60 wt % with respect to the total weight of the solid content.

The photopolymerization initiator may use at least one compound selected from an acetophenone-based compound and a polyfunctional thiol-based compound having two or more mercapto groups per molecule. In addition, the photopolymerization initiator may be one selected from a triazine-based compound, a biimidazole-based compound, and an oxime-based compound. A compound that is described using the suffix “-based” added to a known chemical or chemical group is a compound that comprises that known chemical group, which may be substituted. Thus, for example, an acetophenone-based compound is a compound comprising an acetophenone group or a substituted acetophenone group. The photopolymerization initiator may be used in combination of two or more types thereof.

Among the aforementioned examples of the photopolymerization initiator, the acetophenone-based compound may include, for example, an oligomer such as diethoxyacetophenone, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one benzyldimethylketal, 2-hydroxy-1-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-2-methylpropan-1-one, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl-phenylketone, 2-methyl-1-(4-methyllthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one, 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)butan-1-one, and 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-[4-(1-methylvinyl)phenyl]propan-1-one.

For example, a compound represented by Chemical Formula 2 may be used as the photopolymerization initiator.

In Chemical Formula 2, R2 through R₅ are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a phenyl group substituted or unsubstituted by an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a benzyl group substituted or unsubstituted by an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or a naphthyl group substituted or unsubstituted by an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula 2 may include, for example, 2-methyl-2-amino(4-morpholinophenyl)ethan-1-one, 2-ethyl-2-amino(4-morpholinophenyl)ethan-1-one, 2-propyl-2-amino(4-morpholinophenyyl)ethan-1-one, 2-butyl-2-amino(4-morpholinophenyl)ethan-1-one, 2-methyl-2-amino(4-morpholinophenyl)propan-1-one, 2-methyl-2-amino(4-morpholinophenyl)butan-1-one, 2-ethyl-2-amino(4-morpholinylphenyl)propan-1)propan-1-one, 2-ethyl-2-amino(4-morpholinophenyl)butan-1-one, 2-methyl-2-methylamino(4-morpholinophenyl)propan-1-one, 2-methyl-2-dimethylamino(4-morpholinophenyl)propan-1-one, and 2-methyl-2-diethylamino(4-morpholinophenyl)propan-1-one.

The polyfunctional thiol-based compound comprising the two or more mercapto groups per molecule may include tris-(3-mercaptopropionyloxy)-ethyl-isocyanurate, trimethylolpropanetris-3-mercaptopropionate, pentaerythritoltetrakis-3-mercaptopropionate, dipentaerythritoltetrakis-3-mercaptopropionate, and the like.

The triazine-based compound may include 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(4-methoxynaphthyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-piperonyl-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(4-methoxystyryl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-[2-(5-methylfuran-2-yl)ethenyl]-1,3,5 -triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-[2-(furan-2-yl)ethenyl]-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-[2-(4-diethylamino-2-methylphenyl)ethenyl]-1,3,5-triazine, and 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl]-1,3,5-triazine.

The biimidazole-based compound may include 2,2′-bis(2-chlorophenyl)-4,4′,5,5′-tetraphenylbiimidazole, 2,2′-bis(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-4,4′,5,5′-tetraphenylbiimidazole, 2,2′-bis(2-chlorophenyl)-4,4′,5,5′-tetra(alkoxyphenyl)biimidazole, 2,2′-bis (2-chlorophenyl)-4,4′,5,5′-tetra(trialkoxyphenyl)biimidazole, and an imidazole compound in which 4,4′,5,5′ position of a phenyl group is substituted by a carboalkoxy group.

The oxime-based compound may include compounds represented by Chemical Formulas 3, 4, and 5.

In addition to the aforementioned examples of the photopolymerization initiator, other photopolymerization initiators commonly used in the pertinent art may also be employed. For example, a benzoin-based compound, a benzophenone-based compound, a thioxanthone-based compound, an anthracene-based compound, and the like, may be used as the photopolymerization initiator, which may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

Further, the photosensitive resin composition may further include at least one selected from an amine compound and a carboxylic acid compound as a photopolymerization initiator auxiliary agent.

Among the aforementioned examples of the photopolymerization initiator auxiliary agent, the amine compound may include, for example, an aliphatic amine compound such as triethanolamine (TEA), methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), and triisopropanolamine, and an aromatic amine compound such as 4-dimethylaminobenzoic acid methyl, 4-dimethylaminobenzoic acid ethyl, 4-dimethylaminobenzoic acid isoamyl, 4-dimethylaminobenzoic acid 2-ethylhexyl, benzoic acid 2-dimethylaminoethyl, N,N-dimethylparatoluidine, 4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)benzophenone (also referred to as Michler's ketone), and 4,4′-bis(diethylamino)benzophenone. In particular, the aromatic amine compound may be used as a photopolymerization initiator auxiliary agent.

The carboxylic acid compound may include, for example, aromatic heteroacetic acid such as phenylthioacetic acid, methylphenylthioacetic acid, ethylphenylthioacetic acid, methylethylphenylthioacetic acid, dimethylphenylthioacetic acid, methoxyphenylthioacetic acid, dimethoxyphenylthioacetic acid, chlorophenylthioacetic acid, dichlorophenylthioacetic acid, N-phenylglycine, phenoxyacetic acid, naphthylthioacetic acid, N-naphthylglycine, and naphthoxy acetic acid.

The photopolymerization initiator may be included in the photosensitive resin composition in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt % with respect to the total weight of the solid content of the photosensitive resin composition. In the case in which the amount of the photopolymerization initiator is in the range of about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt %, photoreactivity of the photosensitive resin composition may be excellent such that photopolymerization may be readily performed and a fine pattern may be easily produced. For example, the photopolymerization initiator may be used in a range of about 0.5 wt % to about 15 wt % with respect to the total weight of the solid content.

The photosensitive resin composition may comprise an alkali soluble resin. Accordingly, during the process of forming the pattern, the non-exposed portion of the photosensitive resin composition may be dissolved in an alkali developing solution to be removed. Any alkali developing solution commonly used in the pertinent art may also be employed.

For example, the alkali soluble resin may comprise a carboxylic acid-based compound having an unsaturated bond and a carboxylic acid group and a monomer which is polymerizable with a carboxylic acid-based compound.

The carboxylic acid-based compound having the unsaturated bond and the carboxylic acid group may include a monocarboxylic acid-based compound such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and crotonic acid; a dicarboxylic acid-based compound such as fumaric acid, mesaconic acid, and itaconic acid; an anhydride of dicarboxylic acid; and a mono(meth)acrylate-based compound of a polymer having a carboxyl group and a hydroxyl group at both ends thereof such as w-carboxypolycaprolactonemono (meth)acrylate. However, the type of the carboxylic acid-based compound having the unsaturated bond and the carboxylic acid group is not limited thereto, and the above examples may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

Among these, in particular, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid may be used for preparing the alkali soluble resin. Acrylic acid or methacrylic acid may have excellent copolymerization reactivity and excellent solubility with respect to a developing solution.

The monomer which is polymerizable with the carboxylic acid-based compound may include an alkylester-based compound substituted or unsubstituted by unsaturated carboxylic acid such as methyl(meth)acrylate, ethyl(meth)acrylate, butyl(meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, and aminoethyl(meth)acrylate; an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester-based compound having an alicyclic substituent such as cyclopentyl(meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl(meth)acrylate, methylcyclohexyl(meth)acrylate, cycloheptyl(meth)acrylate, cyclooctyl(meth)acrylate, methyl(meth)acrylate, cyclopentenyl(meth)acrylate, cyclohexenyl(meth)acrylate, cycloheptenyl(meth)acrylate, cyclooctenyl(meth)acrylate, menthadienyl(meth)acrylate, isobornyl(meth)acrylate, pinanyl(meth)acrylate, adamantyl(meth)acrylate, norbornyl(meth)acrylate, and pinenyl(meth)acrylate; an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester-based compound having a curable substituent such as 3-((meth)acryloyloxymethypoxetane, 3-((meth)acryloyloxymethyl)-3-ethyloxetane, 3-((meth)acryloyloxymethyl)-2-methyloxetane, 3-((meth)acryloyloxymethyl)-2-trifluoromethyloxetane; a glycol mono-saturated carboxylic acid ester-based compound such as oligoethylene glycol monoalkyl (meth)acrylate; an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester-based compound having an aromatic ring such as benzyl(meth)acrylate and phenoxy(meth)acrylate; an aromatic vinyl compound such as styrene, a-methylstyrene, and vinyltoluene; carboxylic acid vinyl ester such as acetic acid vinyl and propionic acid vinyl; a cyanide vinyl compound such as (meth)acrylonitrile and a-chloroacrylronitrile; an aliphatic compound having an oxetane group such as glycidyl(meth)acrylate, 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl(meth)acrylate, 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl(meth)acrylate, methylglycidyl(meth)acrylate, 3-(methacryloyloxymethypoxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxymethyl)-3-ethyloxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxymethyl)-2-methyloxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxymethyl)-2-trifluoromethyloxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxymethyl)-2-pentafluoroethyloxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxymethyl)-2-phenyloxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxymethyl)-2,2-difluorooxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxymethyl)-2,2,4-trifluorooxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxymethyl)-2,2,4,4-tetrafluorooxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxyethyl)oxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxyethyl)-3-ethyloxetane, 2-ethyl-3-(methacryloyloxyethyl)oxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxyethyl)-2-trifluoromethyloxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxyethyl)-2-pentafluoroethyloxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxyethyl)-2-phenyloxetane, 2,2-difluoro-3-(methacryloyloxyethypoxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxyethyl)-2,2,4-trifluorooxetane, 3-(methacryloyloxyethyl)-2,2,4,4-tetrafluorooxetane, 3-(acryloyloxymethyl)oxetane, 3-(acryloyloxymethyl)-3-ethyloxetane, 3-(acryloyloxymethyl)-2-methyloxetane, 3-(acryloyloxymethyl)-2-trifluoromethyloxetane, 3-(acryloyloxymethyl)-2-pentafluoroethyloxetane, 3-(acryloyloxymethyl)-2-phenyloxetane, 3-(acryloyloxymethyl)-2,2-difluorooxetane, 3-(acryloyloxymethyl)-2,2,4-trifluorooxetane, 3-(acryloyloxymethyl)-2,2,4,4-tetrafluorooxetane, 3-(acryloyloxyethyl)oxetane, 3-(acryloyloxyethyl)-3-ethyloxetane, 2-ethyl-3-(acryloyloxyethypoxetane, 3-(acryloyloxyethyl)-2-trifluoromethyloxetane, 3-(acryloyloxyethyl)-2-pentafluoroethyloxetane, 3-(acryloyloxy ethyl)-2-phenyloxetane, 2,2-difluoro-3-(acryloyloxy ethypoxetane, 3 -(acryloyloxyethyl)-2,2,4-trifluorooxetane, 3-(acryloyloxyethyl)-2,2,4,4-tetrafluorooxetane and an unsaturated bond; an alicyclic compound having an epoxy group such as epoxidized dicyclodecanyl(meth)acrylate, 3,4-epoxytricyclodecane-8-yl(meth)acrylate, 3,4-epoxytricyclodecane-8-yl (meth)acrylate, epoxidized dicyclopentanyloxy ethyl(meth)acrylate, (2-(3,4-epoxytricy clodecane-9-yloxy)ethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-(3,4-epoxytricyclodecane-8-yloxy)ethyl(meth)aycrylate, and epoxidized dicyclopentanyloxyhexy(meth)acrylate and an unsaturated bond; an epoxy-based compound such as dicyclopentane, tricyclodecane, norbornane, isonorbornane, bicyclooctane, cyclononane, bicycloundecane, tricycloundecane, bicyclododecane, and tricyclododecane; and dicarbonyl imide such as N-phenylmaleimide, N-cyclohexylmaleimide, N-benzylmaleimide, N-succinimidyl-3-maleimidebenzoate, N-succinimidyl-4-maleimidebutyrate, N-succinimidyl-6-maleimidecaproate, N-succinimidyl-3-maleimidepropionate, and N-(9-acrydinyl)maleimide.

As used herein, “(meth)acrylate” may refer to one or both of acrylate and methacrylate.

The alkali soluble resin may be included in the photosensitive resin composition in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 80 wt % with respect to the total weight of the solid content of the photosensitive resin composition. In the case in which the amount of the alkali soluble resin is in the range of about 5 wt % to about 80 wt %, solubility of the photosensitive resin composition with respect to a developing solution may be excellent such that the non-exposed portion of the photosensitive resin composition may be easily dissolved. For example, the alkali soluble resin may be used in an amount of about 10 wt % to about 70 wt % with respect to the total weight of the solid content.

The dispersant may use a surfactant. For example, the dispersant may use a silicon-based surfactant, a fluorine-based surfactant, an ester-based surfactant, a positive-ionic surfactant, a negative-ionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and a non-ionic surfactant, which may be used alone or in combination of two or more types thereof.

Examples of the surfactant may include polyoxyethylenealkylether, polyoxyethylenealkylphenylether, polyethyleneglycolester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, fatty acid modified polyester, tertiary amine modified polyurethane, and a polyethyleneimine.

In addition, the dispersant may use commercially available surfactants such as KP (manufactured by Shin-etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), POLYFLOW (manufactured by Kyoeisha Chemical Co., Ltd.), EFTOP (manufactured by Tohkem Products Corp.), MEGAFACE™ (manufactured by DIC Corp., formerly Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc.), Flourad™ (by Sumitomo 3M Ltd.), Asahi guard, Surflon (manufactured by Asahi Glass Co.), SOLSPERSE™ (by Lubrizol), EFKA (by EFKA Chemicals B.V.), PB 821 (Ajinomoto Co., Inc.), and the like.

The dispersant may be included in the photosensitive resin composition in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 12 wt % with respect to the total weight of the solid content of the photosensitive resin composition. When the amount of the dispersant is relatively small, dispersion may be difficult; and when the amount of the dispersant is relatively great, it may be disadvantageous for stable formation of the pattern and the layer. Accordingly, the type and the amount of the dispersant may be adjusted, such that the agglomerate particle size PS of the phosphor, which refers to an average particle diameter of an agglomerate, may be in a range expressed by Formula 1: λ/10<PS<5λ.  [Formula 1]

The photosensitive resin composition may further comprise an additive as necessary. The additive may comprise a filler, a polymer compound, a curing agent, an adhesion promoter, an antioxidant, a UV light absorber, an anticoagulant, and the like.

The filler may comprise glass, silica, alumina, and the like.

The polymer compound may comprise an epoxy resin, a maleimide resin, a polyvinylalcohol resin, a polyacrylic acid resin, a polyethyleneglycolmonoalkylether resin, a polyfluoroalkylacrylate resin, a polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, and the like.

The curing agent may comprise an epoxy compound, a polyfunctional isocyanate compound, a melamine compound, an oxetane compound, and the like. The curing agent may be used for the purpose of enhancing the curing of an interior of a layer and mechanical strength. The curing agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

Examples of the epoxy compound used as the curing agent may include a bisphenol A epoxy resin, a hydrogenated bisphenol A epoxy resin, a bisphenol F epoxy resin, a hydrogenated bisphenol F epoxy resin, a novolac-type epoxy resin, an aromatic epoxy resin, an alicyclic epoxy resin, a glycidylester-based resin, a glycidylamine-based resin, a brominated derivative of an epoxy resin, a butadiene (co)polymer epoxide, an isoprene (co)polymer epoxide, a glycidyl(meth)acrylate (co)polymer, a triglycidylisocyanurate, and the like.

Examples of a commercially available epoxy curing agent may include Adeka hardner EH-700 (trade name, manufactured by Adeka Corp.), Rikacid HH (trade name, manufactured by New Japan Chemical Co. Ltd.), ME-700 (trade name, manufactured by New Japan Chemical Co. Ltd.), and the like.

Examples of the oxetane compound used as the curing agent may include a carbonatebisoxetane, xylenebisoxetane, adipatebisoxetane, terephthalatebisoxetane, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid bisoxetane, and the like.

In addition, a curing auxiliary compound may be used as the additive. Examples of the curing auxiliary compound may include polyvalent carbonic acid, polyvalent carbonic anhydride, an acid generator, and the like, which may lead to ring-opening polymerization of an epoxy group of the epoxy compound or an oxetane skeleton of the oxetane compound.

Examples of the adhesion promoter may include vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, vinyltris(2-methoxyethoxy) silane, N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane, 2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane, 3-chloropropylmethyldimethoxysilane, 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-isocyanatepropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-isocyanatepropyltriethoxysilane, and the like.

The aforementioned examples of the adhesion promoter may be used alone or in combination of two or more types thereof. The adhesion promotor may be included in the photosensitive resin composition in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 10 wt %, more particularly, in a range of about 0.05 wt % to about 2 wt %, with respect to the total weight of the solid content of the photosensitive resin composition.

Examples of the antioxidant may include 2,2′-thiobis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, and the like.

Examples of the UV light absorber may include 2-(3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, alkoxybenzophenone, and the like. The UV light absorber may enhance UV light absorption of the photosensitive resin composition to thereby improve pattern formation efficiency.

Examples of the anticoagulant may include sodium polyacrylate.

The type of the solvent is not particularly limited. Various organic solvents used in the field of the photosensitive resin composition may be used as the solvent.

Examples of the solvent may include ethyleneglycolmonoalkylether such as ethylenegly colmonomethylether, ethylenegly colmonoethylether, ethyleneglycolmonopropylether, and ethyleneglycolmonobutylether; diethyleneglycoldialkyl ether such as diethyleneglycoldimethylether, diethyleneglycoldiethylether, diethyleneglycoldipropylether, and diethyleneglycolbutylether; ethyleneglycolalkyletheracetate such as methylcellosolveacetate and ethylcellosolveacetate; propyleneglycoldialkylether such as propyleneglycolmonomethylether;

alkyleneglycolalkyletheracetate such as propyleneglycolmonomethyletheracetate, propylenegly colmonoethyletheracetate, propylenegly colmonopropyletheracetate, methoxybutylacetate, and methoxypentylacetate; aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and mesitylene; ketone such as methylethylketone, acetone, methylamylketone, methylisobutylketone, and cyclohexanone; alcohol such as ethanol, propanol, butanol, hexanol, cyclohexanol, ethyleneglycol, and glycerin; ester such as 3-ethoxypropionic acid ethyl and 3-methoxypropionic acid methyl; cyclic ester such as γ-butyrolactone (GBL), which may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

The amount of the solvent may be in a range of about 60 wt % to about 95 wt % with respect to the total weight of the photosensitive resin composition. In the case in which the amount of the solvent is in the range of about 60 wt % to about 95 wt %, coatability of the photosensitive resin composition using a coating device such as a roll coater, a spin coater, a slit and spin coater, a slit coater, or an inkjet coater may be excellent. For example, the solvent may be used in a range of about 70 wt % to about 90 wt % with respect to the total weight of the photosensitive resin composition.

The color filter prepared using the photosensitive resin composition according to the third exemplary embodiment may have a reduced variation in a film thickness and smoothness. Further, the phosphors may be dispersed within the color filter at a predetermined agglomerate particle size, such that representing a high-quality color may be achieved using the color filter prepared as such.

Hereinafter, a further detailed description of the present invention will be provided with reference to Preparation Examples, Experimental Examples, and Comparative Examples. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. A unit used to measure an amount in Preparation Examples, Experimental Examples, and Comparative Examples may be based on weight.

Preparation Example 1 Synthesis of Quantum Dot (Phosphor) having CdSe (Core)/ZnS(Shell) Structure

CdO (0.4 millimoles (mmol)), zinc acetate (4 mmol), and oleic acid (5.5 milliliters (mL)) are input to a reaction container along with 1-octadecene (20 mL) and then heated to 150 Celsius degrees (° C.). A reactant obtained therefrom is laid aside under a vacuum state of 100 millitorrs (mTorr) to remove acetic acid generated during a reaction of zinc with oleic acid due to the heating. The reactant is heated to 310° C. to obtain a transparent mixture and maintained at 310° C. for 20 minutes, and a Se and S solution obtained by dissolving 0.4 mmol of Se powder and 2.3mmol of S powder in 3mL of trioctylphosphine is rapidly injected to a reaction container in which Cd(OA)₂ and Zn(OA)₂ are held, where OA=oleic acid. A reaction mixture obtained therefrom is grown at 310° C. for 5 minutes, and the growth of the reaction mixture is suspended using an ice bath. A reactant obtained therefrom is precipitated in ethanol, a nano-phosphor is separated from the reactant using a centrifugal separator, and impurities are cleaned therefrom using chloroform and ethanol. As a result, a quantum dot having a CdSe (core)/ZnS (shell) structure stabilized by oleic acid is obtained. An average particle size of the obtained quantum dot is verified to be 5 nm as a result of the measurement thereof using a particle size measurer, for example, DLS-8000 (manufactured by Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd.). A particle size is measured as a diameter of the particle. In addition, a wavelength λ of emitted light is verified to be 550 nm as a result of the measurement thereof using a quantum efficiency measurement system, for example, QE-1000 (manufactured by Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd).

Preparation Example 2 Preparation of Alkali Soluble Resin

A flask provided with a stirrer, a thermometer, a reflex condenser, a dropping lot (hereinafter, referred to as a dropping funnel), and a nitrogen gas inlet tube is prepared. 45 parts by weight of N-benzylmaleimide, 45 parts by weight of methacrylic acid, 10 parts by weight of tricyclodecyl methacrylate, 4 parts by weight of t-butylperoxy-2-ethylhexanoate, and 40 parts by weight of propyleneglycolmonomethyletheracetate (hereinafter, referred to “PGMEA”) are injected into the flask and mixed by stirring to prepare a monomer dropping funnel; and 6 parts by weight of n-dodecanethiol and 24 parts by weight of PGMEA are injected into the flask and mixed by stirring to prepare a chain transfer agent dropping funnel. 395 parts by weight of PGMEA is injected into the flask, an atmosphere in the flask is changed from an air atmosphere to a nitrogen atmosphere, and a temperature of the flask is elevated to 90° C. while stirring is performed in the flask. The monomer and the chain transfer agent are dropped from the respective dropping funnels. The dropping of the monomer and the chain transfer agent are each carried out for two hours while maintaining the temperature at 90° C., the temperature is elevated therefrom to 110° C. after an hour to be maintained thereat for three hours, and a gas inlet tube is introduced thereto to initiate bubbling using a mixed gas of oxygen/nitrogen=5/95 volume/volume (v/v). 10 parts by weight of glycidylmethacrylate, 0.4 parts by weight of 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), and 0.8 parts by weight of trimethylamine are injected into the flask to be reacted at 110° C. for 8 hours, and a reactant obtained therefrom is cooled to room temperature to thereby obtain an alkali soluble resin including a solid content of 29.1 wt %, a weight average molecular weight (WAMW) of 32,000, and an acidic value of 114 milligrams of potassium hydroxide per gram (mgKOH/g).

Inventive Examples 3-1 through 3-4 and Comparative Examples 3-1 and 3-2 Preparation of Photosensitive Resin Composition

As represented in Table 1, respective components, that is, solid contents in wt % based on the total weight of solid content, are mixed and added with a solvent, for example, propyleneglycolmonomethyletheracetate to be diluted to have a total amount of the solid contents to be 18 wt % based on the total weight of solvent and solid content. Subsequent to the dilution, a mixture thereof is processed using Sonicator Q55 (manufactured by ProNEXTECH) for two hours to obtain a photosensitive resin composition having a predetermined distribution of agglomerate particle sizes.

TABLE 1 Solid Inventive Inventive Inventive Inventive Comparative Comparative Contents Example 3-1 Example 3-2 Example 3-3 Example 3-4 Example 3-1 Example 3-2 (A) Phosphor 30 30 30 30 30 30 (B) Photopoly- 35 35 35 35 35 35 merizable Compound (C) Photopoly- 5 5 5 5 5 5 merization Initiator (D) Alkali 28.5 27 24 21 30 15 Soluble Resin (E) Dispersant 1.5 3 6 9 0 15 (A) Phosphor: the quantum dot (QD) having the CdSe (core)/ZnS (shell) structure prepared in Preparation Example 1 (B) Photopolymerizable compound: dipentaerythritolhexacrylate (KAYARAD ™ DPHA; manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) (C) Photopolymerization initiator: IRGACURE ™-907 (manufactured by BASF Corporation) (D) Alkali Soluble Resin: the alkali soluble resin prepared in Preparation Example 2 (E) Dispersant: Disperbyk-180 (manufactured by BYK-Chemie GmbH)

Inventive Examples 4-1 through 4-4 and Comparative Examples 4-1 and 4-2 Preparation of Color Filter

The color filters are prepared using the photosensitive resin compositions prepared in Inventive Examples 3-1 through 3-4 and Comparative Examples 3-1 and 3-2, and used in Inventive Examples 4-1 through 4-4 and Comparative Examples 4-1 and 4-2, respectively.

In detail, the photosensitive resin compositions prepared in Inventive Examples 3-1 through 3-4 and Comparative Examples 3-1 and 3-2 are coated on a glass substrate using a spin coating scheme, and the glass substrate is disposed on a heating plate to be maintained at 100° C. for three minutes, such that a thin film formed of the photosensitive resin composition is formed. UV light is irradiated onto the thin film of the photosensitive resin.

As such a UV light source, an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp (USH-250D available from Ushio Inc.) is used, and the UV light irradiation is performed at 365 nm with an exposure dose of 200 millijoules per square centimeter (mJ/cm²) under an air atmosphere. The thin film onto which the UV light is irradiated is heated in a heating oven at 150° C. for 10 minutes, such that a color filter is prepared therefrom. A thickness of the color filter is 3.0 micrometers (μm). In detail, the thickness of the color filter is not limited thereto, and may have various values up to 500 μm.

Experimental Example 1 Measurement of Agglomerate Particle Size

An agglomerate particle size of each of the phosphors included in the photosensitive resin compositions prepared in Inventive Examples 3-1 through 3-4 and Comparative Examples 3-1 and 3-2 is measured using the particle size measurer, DLS-8000 (manufactured by Otsuka Electronics. Co., Ltd.). The agglomerate particle size is referred to as an average agglomerate particle diameter. An average value of the measured agglomerate particle sizes for each Example is represented in Table 2.

Experimental Example 2 Measurement of Light Intensity (Luminance)

A UV light is irradiated onto the color filters prepared to have the thickness of 3.0 μm in Inventive Examples 4-1 through 4-4 and Comparative Examples 4-1 and 4-2, and an intensity (luminance) of the emitted light is measured for each of the color filters using the quantum efficiency measurement system, QE-1000 (manufactured by Otsuka Electronics Inc., Ltd.). The luminance of light emitted from the color filter and having a wavelength of 550 nm is represented in Table 2. In addition, a graph depicting luminance of light emitted from the color filter and having a wavelength in a range of about 480 nm to about 680 nm is illustrated in FIG. 4.

As the measured luminance of the emitted light is increased, it may be determined that the color filter has an excellent luminance characteristic.

TABLE 2 Inventive Inventive Inventive Inventive Comparative Comparative Example 3-1 Example 3-2 Example 3-3 Example 3-4 Example 3-1 Example 3-2 Average 2200 nm 980 nm 520 nm 84 nm 3019 nm 32.2 nm Agglomerate Particle Size (PS) Inventive Inventive Inventive Inventive Comparative Comparative Example 4-1 Example 4-2 Example 4-3 Example 4-4 Example 4-1 Example 4-2 Luminance 773.8 876.4 810.7 630.1 565.9 330.6 (λ = 550 nm) (cd/m²)

In the case in which the agglomerate particle size PS, that is, the average agglomerate particle diameter of the phosphor satisfies Formula 1 in which “λ10<PS<5λ”, it may be verified that the color filter prepared using the photosensitive resin composition has an excellent luminance. Further, in the case of Comparative Examples 3-2 and 4-2 in which the phosphors are not agglomerated but rather finely dispersed, it may be verified that the luminance is relatively weak as compared to Comparative Examples 3-1 and 4-1 in which the phosphors are formed as a giant agglomerate.

As set forth above, according to exemplary embodiments, the photosensitive resin composition may comprise the phosphor, and the phosphors may be uniformly dispersed within the photosensitive resin composition. Accordingly, the color filter prepared using the photosensitive resin composition according to the exemplary embodiment may represent high-quality color.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present teachings. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting of the true scope and spirit of the present teachings. Various features of the above described and other embodiments can be mixed and matched in any manner, to produce further embodiments consistent with the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A photosensitive resin composition comprising: a solvent in an amount of about 60 percentage by weight (wt %) to about 95 wt %; and a solid content in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 40 wt %, with respect to a total weight of the photosensitive resin composition, wherein the solid content comprises: a phosphor in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 90 wt %; a photopolymerizable compound in an amount of about 4 wt % to about 70 wt %; a photopolymerization initiator in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt %; an alkali soluble resin in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 80 wt %; and a dispersant in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 12 wt %, with respect to a total weight of the solid content, and the phosphor has a particle size in a range of about 2 nanometers (nm) to about 10 nm, and when a center wavelength of light emitted from the phosphor is λ, an agglomerate particle size PS of the phosphor satisfies Formula 1: λ/10<PS<5λ  [Formula 1].
 2. The photosensitive resin composition of claim 1, wherein the phosphor comprises at least one selected from a red phosphor, a green phosphor, and a blue phosphor.
 3. The photosensitive resin composition of claim 1, wherein the phosphor comprises one of a red phosphor absorbing blue light to emit red light and a green phosphor absorbing blue light to emit green light.
 4. The photosensitive resin composition of claim 1, wherein the phosphor is a quantum dot (QD).
 5. The photosensitive resin composition of claim 4, wherein the quantum dot comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of CdS, CdSe, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, InP, and InAs.
 6. The photosensitive resin composition of claim 4, wherein the quantum dot has a core-shell structure comprising a core and a shell covering the core, wherein the core comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of CdSe, CdS, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, CdSeTe, CdZnS, CdSeS, PbSe, PbS, PbTe, AgInZnS, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, InP, InZnP, InGaP, InGaN, InAs, and ZnO, and the shell comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of CdS, CdSe, CdTe, CdO, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, ZnO, InP, InS, GaP, GaN, GaO, InZnP, InGaP, InGaN, InZnSCdSe, PbS, TiO, SrSe, and HgSe.
 7. The photosensitive resin composition of claim 1, wherein the phosphor comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺(YAG:Ce), Tb₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺(TAG:Ce), (Sr,Ba,Ca)₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ba,Ca,Mg,Zn)₂Si(OD)₄:Eu²⁺ (D=F,Cl,S,N,Br), Ba₂MgSi₂O₇:Eu²⁺, Ba₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺, Ca₃(Sc,Mg)₂Si3O₁₂:Ce³⁺, (Ca,Sr)S:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ca)Ga₂S₄:Eu²⁺, SrSi₂O₂N₂:Eu²⁺, SiAlON:Ce³⁺, β-SiAlON:Eu²⁺, Ca-α-SiAlON:Eu²⁺, Ba₃Si₆O₁₂N₂:Eu²⁺, CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ca)AlSiN₃:Eu²⁺, Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ba)Al₂O₄:Eu²⁺, (Mg,Sr)Al₂O₄:Eu²⁺, and BaMg₂Al₁₆O₀₂₇:Eu²⁺.
 8. The photosensitive resin composition of claim 1, wherein the photopolymerizable compound comprises a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1:

wherein R₁ is hydrogen or an acrylroyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms.
 9. The photosensitive resin composition of claim 1, wherein the alkali soluble resin comprises: at least one compound selected from a mono carboxylic acid-based compound, a dicarboxylic acid-based compound, and a mono(meth)acrylate-based compound; and at least one compound selected from an alkyl ester-based compound, a carboxylic acid ester-based compound, a vinyl compound, an alicyclic compound having an epoxy group and an unsaturated bond, an epoxy-based compound, and a dicarbonyl imide derivative.
 10. The photosensitive resin composition of claim 1, wherein the dispersant comprises at least a surfactant selected from a polyoxyethylenealkylether-based compound, a polyoxyethylenealkylphenylether-based compound, a polyethyleneglycolester-based compound, a sorbitan fatty acid ester-based compound, a fatty acid modified polyester-based compound, a tertiary amine modified polyurethane compound, an alkylammonium-based compound, and a polyethyleneimine-based compound.
 11. A display device comprising: a substrate; and a plurality of color filters on the substrate, wherein the color filter comprises a polymer resin, and a phosphor having a particle size in a range of about 2 nanometers (nm) to about 10 nm which is dispersed in the polymer resin, and when a center wavelength emitted from the phosphor is λ, an agglomerate particle size PS of the phosphor satisfies Formula 1: λ/10<PS<5λ  [Formula 1].
 12. The display device of claim 11, wherein the phosphor comprises at least one selected from a red phosphor, a green phosphor, and a blue phosphor.
 13. The display device of claim 11, wherein the phosphor comprises one of a red phosphor absorbing blue light to emit red light and a green phosphor absorbing blue light to emit green light.
 14. The display device of claim 11, wherein the phosphor is a quantum dot (QD).
 15. The display device of claim 14, wherein the quantum dot comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of CdS, CdSe, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, InP, and InAs.
 16. The display device of claim 14, wherein the quantum dot has a core-shell structure comprising a core and a shell covering the core, wherein the core comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of CdSe, CdS, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, CdSeTe, CdZnS, CdSeS, PbSe, PbS, PbTe, AgInZnS, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, InP, InZnP, InGaP, InGaN, InAs, and ZnO, and the shell comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of CdS, CdSe, CdTe, CdO, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, ZnO, InP, InS, GaP, GaN, GaO, InZnP, InGaP, InGaN, InZnSCdSe, PbS, TiO, SrSe, and HgSe.
 17. The display device of claim 11, wherein the phosphor comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺(YAG:Ce), Tb₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺(TAG:Ce), (Sr,Ba,Ca)₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ba,Ca,Mg,Zn)₂Si(OD)4:Eu²⁺ (D=F,Cl,S,N,Br), Ba₂MgSi₂O₇:Eu²⁺, Ba₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺, Ca₃(Sc,Mg)₂Si3O₁₂:Ce³⁺, (Ca,Sr)S:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ca)Ga₂S₄:Eu²⁺, SrSi₂O₂N₂:Eu²⁺, SiAlON:Ce³⁺, β-SiAlON:Eu²⁺, Ca-α-SiAlON:Eu²⁺, Ba₃Si₆O₁₂N₂:Eu²⁺, CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ca)AlSiN₃:Eu²⁺, Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺, (Sr,Ba)Al₂O₄:Eu²⁺, (Mg,Sr)Al₂O₄:Eu²⁺, and BaMg2Al₁₆O₂₇:Eu²⁺. 